Latvian artist Pauls Liepa explores the pervasive nature of negotiation – from personal exchanges to global power dynamics – in his upcoming solo exhibition,”Bargaining.” The show, opening January 29, 2026, at the Māksla XO gallery in Riga, features Liepa’s signature graphic style, created using unconventional high-pressure techniques wiht cardboard and alkyd enamel. Liepa, born in 1978, has garnered international recognition for his work which often reflects contemporary anxieties and philosophical inquiries through a distinctly modernist lens [[number]].
New Exhibition in Riga to Explore the Art of Negotiation
A solo exhibition by artist Pauls Liepa, titled “Bargaining,” will be on display at the Māksla XO gallery in Riga, Latvia, from January 29 to March 7, 2026. The show promises a fresh perspective on contemporary societal dynamics through the artist’s unique lens.
The Concept Behind “Bargaining”
Liepa’s new work delves into the various facets of modern life, from everyday verbal exchanges and the pursuit of advantageous positions to larger political and geopolitical struggles for influence. The artist employs metaphorical imagery – including frayed flags, primitive shapes, and bold color fields – to represent both personal and global conflicts and the processes of reaching agreements. This exhibition arrives as contemporary art continues to reflect and challenge the complexities of the modern world.
The pieces in “Bargaining” were created using high-pressure techniques with cardboard clichés and alkyd enamel, intentionally avoiding the technically intricate nuances often associated with graphic art. This approach allows Liepa to work with simple forms, large areas of color, and rough textures, giving the works a flag-like quality that is conceptually central to the exhibition’s theme. As Liepa explains, the show is about “haggling and bargaining – trading wool for a bleat, land for a front-row seat, or the biggest slice of pie. The fight for a place in the newsfeed and more favorable interest rates.”
Pauls Liepa: An Internationally Recognized Graphic Artist
Pauls Liepa (born 1978) is a highly acclaimed Latvian contemporary graphic artist known for developing his own distinctive authorial technique. He utilizes the simplest graphic techniques, such as cardboard cutouts and collagraphy, to create works with a vibrant and often slightly “scratched” color palette. Liepa’s aesthetic is heavily influenced by the graphic culture, design, and architecture of 20th-century modernism, particularly the visual aesthetic of the 1960s and 70s. His work frequently references philosophical ideas, current events – from war conflicts to everyday objects – as well as social, ecological, and political issues.
Art critics consistently note the immediate recognizability of Liepa’s work, while acknowledging that its deeper meaning requires careful consideration. Anna Salmane wrote in 2019 that viewing Liepa’s pieces creates a feeling of entering a space where “you don’t quite understand what it all means. You can try to understand, but you don’t fully grasp it, but there’s something very tactile about it that makes you want to scratch, touch, and figure it out.” Krišs Salmanis adds that “when you glance at any work in the exhibition, it’s clear that it’s Liepa, and then you have to delve in and try to dig up what he’s been up to.”
About Māksla XO Gallery
Located at Elizabetes iela 14 in Riga, Māksla XO is a leading contemporary art gallery in Latvia. Since its founding in 1999, Māksla XO has focused on promoting contemporary and emerging Latvian art in painting, sculpture, and graphic art. The gallery represents both established Latvian and internationally recognized artists, offering a diverse range of styles – from traditional to urban and social art. The gallery’s founder and curator is Ilze Žeivate.
